Former NFL first-round pick and Super Bowl champion Darron Lee has been arrested on serious charges related to the death of his girlfriend. The 31-year-old ex-linebacker was taken into custody on February 5, 2026, in Ooltewah, Tennessee.
Authorities responded to a medical call at a rental home on Snow Cone Way and found 29-year-old Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene, and her death has been ruled a homicide.
Former NFL first-round pick and Super Bowl champion Darron Lee has been charged with the murder of his girlfriendpic.twitter.com/1PMeu91sHz
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) February 12, 2026
Lee, who was present, told deputies he found Perpétuo unconscious on the couch and thought she might have fallen in the shower. Investigators noted blood in nearly every room, broken glass in the kitchen and signs of cleanup attempts.
Nov 25, 2018; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) runs the ball against New York Jets linebacker Darron Lee (58) during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2018; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) runs the ball against New York Jets linebacker Darron Lee (58) during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Lee had scratches and other marks suggesting a struggle. He is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. The case stems from what authorities describe as a violent incident.
During a bond hearing on February 11, 2026, at the Hamilton County Courthouse, Judge Amanda Dunn denied bail due to the seriousness of the charges and the risk of flight. Detective Brian Lockhart testified that Perpétuo suffered severe injuries, including a broken neck, brain trauma, multiple stab wounds, and a bite mark on her thigh.
District Attorney Coty Wamp said the case qualifies for the death penalty, but no action has been taken yet. A preliminary hearing is set for March 9, 2026. Lee appeared in court in a red jail jumpsuit and has not entered a plea.
New York Jets’ Darron Lee’s gridiron glory to legal trouble
Jets’ star Darron Lee was drafted 20th overall by the New York Jets in 2016 after winning a national title with Ohio State. From 2016 to 2018, he played in 52 games for the Jets, totaling 255 tackles, four sacks, and three interceptions.
Traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019, he played a role in their Super Bowl LIV victory over the San Francisco 49ers, although he was inactive for the game. He went on to play for the Buffalo Bills in 2020 and the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, finishing his career with 67 games, 302 tackles, four interceptions, and three forced fumbles.
Lee has encountered more legal troubles with his recent arrest. Back in 2017, he was involved in a domestic incident that led to assault charges, but those charges were dropped after he completed a program designed to help him avoid legal issues.
In 2023, a man in Ohio was charged with assaulting his mother and the mother of his son. He accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to one day in jail, followed by probation until 2027, during which he must attend counseling.
For NFL fans in India who follow American football, stories like this highlight the difficulties some players face after retirement. The investigation is ongoing, and more details may emerge later. Lee’s situation highlights how past success can be very different from current problems.